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Former Sgt.: Detective Made Inappropriate Comments About Singer Houston

September 23, 2013
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A Beverly Hills Police sergeant responding to the scene of Whitney Houston's death made "inappropriate comments" about the singer's appearance after lifting a sheet covering her naked body, according to a claim filed by a former Beverly Hills SWAT sergeant.

In the claim, Sgt. Brian Weir alleges that on the day Houston died in February 2012, Det. Sgt. Terry Nutall arrived at the scene, and "for no legitimate law enforcement inquiry, investigative, or other proper and legal purpose … removed the sheet and/or other covering from the body … to an area below the pubic region." The claim also alleges he made comments to the effect that the former pop star "looked attractive for a woman of her age and current state" and "Damn, she's still looking good, huh?"

The 48-year-old singer was found submerged in a bathtub in her room at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills. The Los Angeles County coroner's office determined that she died of accidental drowning, with heart disease and cocaine use listed as contributing factors.

Comments (10)

Weir needs to get a job someplace else, like the ACLU. Officers say a lot of things at crimes scene, especially high profile scenes. It helps to relieve tension, stress, etc.

Dan Wilcox @ 9/24/2013 3:43 PM

It may have been crude behavior but crude behavior is common in this world. I once lived in an apartment and next to the common wall, a beautiful girl blew her brains out. I overheard several unseemly remarks from the responding officers in the outside walkway. In addition, I was interviewed briefly; basically to make sure it was a real suicide. I was asked if I heard sounds of a struggle, etc. The officer, a real comic, asked me if I noticed any bullets coming through the wall...

I think maybe people in particular professions get a little calloused to some things. I was in a restaurant once and the news came on: an Airbus jetliner had its nosegear locked in a cockeyed position and was preparing to make an emergency landing at LAX. A group of pilots from a nearby airliner flight school were in the restaurant and laughing like Hyenas, and joking about the pilots on the jetliner having to clean off the cockpit seats...

Sgt. Weir needs to get a life. I would not trust Weir for anything.....

S.S. @ 9/25/2013 6:33 AM

This Sgt. in SWAT no less needs to get the hell outta there. What is his motive for him filing a claim? Does he just want his 15 minutes of fame or what? The comment was in very poor taste, but even still if it did hurt this SWAT Sgt.'s sensitive ears, he's got no business being a a cop. I'm sure he's heard and seen worse. STOP being a pu**y and get your ass out of the field!

Lt. @ 9/25/2013 7:07 AM

I think everyone is missing the bigger issue. Why was a SWAT Sgt. so close to the body to hear such a comment. Using his own words, SWAT Sgt. Weir's presence inside the crime scene was "for no legitimate law enforcement inquiry, investigative, or other proper and legal purpose". I agree with S.S. Being a tactical officer myself, I'm sure SWAT Sgt. Weir and his fellow SWAT officers have made many comments about the situations that they have been exposed to that the public, let alone a fellow colleague would find offensive. He's just looking for his 15 minutes of fame.

Greg @ 9/26/2013 4:14 AM

The full story gave another view (and this from the uber-liberal LA Times):

"Beverly Hills police Lt. Lincoln Hoshino said Tuesday that the department was aware of the claim..."The responding detective sergeant in question was working in the city of Beverly Hills on another assignment, and he did properly and appropriately respond to the scene," Hoshino said. "It is appropriate for a responding detective sergeant to briefly examine the body upon arriving to a scene like that."

Just how delicate is Weir...must be special to never make any comments when facing bad situations...I've heard some amazing bad taste and funny quips...heck, Law & Order always had Lenny make "observations" when dealing with a dead body the beginning of every show.

S.S. @ 9/26/2013 10:53 AM

Hey ex- Sgt. Weir, btw I am an El Paso police officer, ex-swat officer, ex-tactical officer, and ex-CRASH unit officer. I hope you really did find another career. I can only imagine what your fellow SWAT officers are saying about. you did this to yourself. So just please resign. Hopefully you have no one mentoring you. You should have your man card revoked, as well as get some testicle implants. Something PLEASE!!!!!

Ima Leprechaun @ 9/27/2013 7:02 AM

What this guy did wrong was violate police policy concerning crime scene investigations but that was the fault of the officer controlling the crime scene. I don't care if its your Chief of Police, nobody not directly involved with a crime scene is ever allowed to enter and should be forcibly prevented from entering or be forcibly removed from the crime scene. At least two people need discipline here. BHPD knows better!

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